Chiang Mai Travel Guide & Money-Saving Tips

Plan Chiang Mai around its temples, northern food and mountain trips, with clear seasonal advice and practical ways to spend less.

Northern Thai food, mountain temples and Lanna character

If you’re thinking about Chiang Mai, go hungry. The city’s northern food culture is reason enough to come, especially for a bowl of khao soi from an old-school shop such as Khao Soi Khun Yai or Lam Duan Fahrm.

Then take a morning up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where the naga staircase leads to a gold chedi and broad views across the city. Back inside the moat, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh make temple-hopping easy on foot, with plenty of good stops for food between them.

This hub brings together what to know before going to Chiang Mai and how to save money while still getting the most out of the trip.

Good to know

Burning season, roughly February to April, brings heavy smoke and poor air quality. Visit from November to January for clearer skies.

Top tips

Currency: THB (฿)
Daily spend: 400–1000+ THB per person
Hotels: 250–1000+ THB per night
Plug: American 2-prong / Europlug / Thai
Tipping: Welcomed
Timezone: GMT+7
Taxis: Grab / Bolt
Food: LINE MAN / Grab / FoodPanda

Best time to visit

Weather, prices, crowds and the events worth travelling for.

Cool and dry season

Great

Nov – Feb

Clear, comfortable days bring peak hotel prices and the largest crowds, especially around Christmas and the Flower Festival.

Hot season

Good

Mar – Apr

Very hot days and March smoke bring lower rates and fewer visitors, while Songkran fills April with crowds.

Green season

Good

May – Oct

Afternoon downpours turn the hills green, with the lowest hotel rates and fewest visitors of the year.

Cost saving tips

Rent a scooter for 150–300 THB a day; weekly rates of 1,000–1,500 THB can cost less than repeated ride-hailing trips.
Eat at Chang Phueak market, where plates cost around 30–80 THB, instead of paying Old City restaurant prices.
Avoid Yi Peng and Songkran weekends when rooms can double, and book elephant parks or Doi Inthanon tours direct rather than through hotel desks.

Top tips

Carry small baht notes because red trucks and market stalls are often cash-first, even when cafés and convenience stores accept PromptPay QR.
Shared red trucks cost about 30 THB a head on their routes, while tuk-tuks usually quote a higher price for a single trip.
The best khao soi shops often open for lunch and close by mid-afternoon, so arrive early at Khun Yai or Lam Duan Fahrm.
Cover your shoulders and knees at temples, remove your shoes at the entrance and expect entry fees of 30–50 THB at some sites.
Sky lantern releases are banned inside the city, while large Yi Peng launches take place at ticketed events outside town.
During the smoky months, plan outdoor sightseeing early in the day and check the daily air quality before heading into the hills.